Karapiro Lake Domain Motor Camp

It was a reasonably short drive of 40km to our next stop at Karapiro Lake Domain Motor Camp.  The camp sits at the edge of Lake Karapiro and we had the whole camp to ourselves.  It was a matter of “camp anywhere”, the sites were on two levels and we decided that down by the lake would be the place to be.

The entrance to the Domain

Lake Karapiro is a world class rowing venue, and is also used for sailing, water skiing and power boat racing.  The 8sq km lake was formed by the construction of the Karapiro Dam.  The large turbine on display from Awapuni Power Station was donated by Electricorp to recognise the important role of the Waikato River in electricity production and recreational enjoyment.

   60 year old turbine

After setting up on site, we drove over the narrow curving road on top of the dam.  The maximum weight allowed over this dam is 2500kg, so there is no way we could have towed the caravan across behind us.  Traffic lights at each end control the one way traffic.  The powerhouse was completed in 1947, and the three turbines generate 90,000 kw of power.

The powerhouse with a road on top of the dam

Another view showing the sluice gates

Downstream of the dam

There were a couple of New Zealand Scaup paddling around the lake.  These birds, also known as Black Teal, are New Zealand’s smallest ducks, and are the only true diving ducks in NZ.  They can dive down two 2 metres, and maintain these depths while feeding, by paddling their feet.

Black Teal duck

This is the home of rowing, and the whole complex is very well maintained, with beautifully kept grounds, with the motor camp  just a small part of the business. We saw several crews out practicing in the early evening and some more turned up almost before daylight this morning.

The garden by the office has an attractive series of box hedges clipped in the shape of a kiwi, NZ, and a fern.

We were the only ones camping here, so had the whole place to ourselves.  Guess that means that there won’t be a queue for the showers in the morning.

All alone in camp

Thanks to our new Irish friends.

There were two campervans parked up next to us at the Hamilton Motor Camp, rugby followers all, who had been in New Zealand for the last three weeks.  Robin got chatting, as he does, swapping stories no doubt of rugby games.  “Would you like some beer?”, he was asked, “We are flying back home tomorrow”.  As they would be spending their last evening on New Zealand soil at a pub, they didn’t really need what beer they still had left.

Happy Irish came bearing gifts

The expected few bottles turned out to be a real windfall.  Beer, a little Guinness and Cider too, I’ll keep those for myself I think.  Thanks guys, what a kind gesture, and much appreciated.

We are meeting up with friends Dot and Derek tomorrow to continue our slow trip home.  No doubt some of the beer will find it’s way into their hands.

Water problems

What is going wrong with our caravan hot water cylinder?  It seems to have sprung a leak, which isn’t good at all.  We noticed a wet patch on the carpet during our previous weekend trip away, so Robin lifted up the squab and had a look around the water heater unit.  Oh no, there was water in the base of the locker and seeping from the cylinder.  Out came the towels to mop it up, but that of course is only a stop-gap measure.  The problem seems to be that  the cylinder has split somewhere. Compounding this is the fact that we discovered that our water heater unit is a Hansen which was manufactured in South Africa, and the company has gone defunct and closed down.  No one stocks this  brand of water heater in New Zealand, so spare parts will be impossible to get.  Luckily we had met up recently with Colin the owner of the Leisureline factory, and he made a commitment to replace our faulty water heater with an Atwood which is manufactured in USA and is a widely used model worldwide. All we needed to do was to make a booking to get a replacement water cylinder fitted, and deliver our caravan to the factory in Hamilton on the given day.  Hence our trip to Hamilton this week.  We arrived at the factory doors bright and early, backed the caravan under cover, uncoupled it, and had a day free, leaving it to the experts to fix.  Our faulty water heater is here under the polystyrene jacket.

  It leaks!!

On our return in the late afternoon we found that the work had been done, and our old heater waiting for the rubbish collection.  Robin had a look, and could see where the water had been leaking out.  The replacement Atwood had been fitted, and checked, and appeared to be working well.  Some adjustments had to be made as the Atwood was slightly larger than the original heater.  A good reason indeed to get it properly fitted by the factory, who know exactly what they are doing.  We will be giving it a thorough test, you can be sure of that.  The control switches were replaced, as was the metal cover on the outside of the caravan. 

  The outside vent was replaced

So what did we do during our spare day?  A little shopping, then a trip down to Hamilton Lake Domain to relax for an hour or so, watch the birds and read the newspaper.  There was bird life aplenty, with ducks, geese and pukekos all living happily together on the edge of the lake.  Our illusions were shattered when we saw several pukekos squabbling over a struggling baby duck.  Oh dear, that wasn’t at all nice to see – it was “murder most foul”.  Our bird book tells us the gruesome fact that pukeko do in fact take ducklings from the nest.

Hamilton Lake

Later in the afternoon we drove north to the town of Ngaruawahia, on the banks of the Waikato River.  This  area, known as The Point, is a site of special significance to the Maori people, as it was the home of Tawhiao, the 2nd Maori King. The Crown confiscated 500,000 hectares of Maori land in the 1860s, and it was many years before the Waikato people could rebuild a settlement in Ngarawahia.  In 1921 a grand-daughter of Tawhiao led displaced families in building Turangawaewae Marae, and re-established relations with the Pakeha community.  The marae has gained significant importance and these days many national and overseas dignitaries are hosted here and is the seat of the Maori King.

Telling the story of the local area

Long before a bridge was built, the river was busy with paddle steamers and punts making crossings.  Regattas were commonly held in the 1900s.  This part of the river bank,  The Point, was gifted to the town by the Ngaruawahia Regatta Association in 1979.

Waikato River

Commemorative plaque telling of the gift

We spent the night at Hamilton Motor Camp, and after a little drizzle all day, the rain came down in buckets.  The camp is full of overseas visitors in campervans, all travelling around the country to watch the Rugby World Cup games.  Robin was happy to talk about the finer points of the game with a keen rugby fan from England. 

Pets with a difference at Kihikihi

“What does Kihikihi mean?”, we asked the rellies when we visited them on our trip north.  It is certainly a strange name, and they would be sure to know, we reasoned.  Sure enough, they did.  It is the Maori word for cicada – and that would explain why we passed a huge concrete cicada at the edge of town.  We did wonder what on earth it was, but sadly didn’t stop to photograph it.  Never mind, we snapped this sign instead.

Welcome to Kihikihi – cicada town

Our nephew Shane, his wife Kirstie and their two growing boys live in the lovely little town.  Previously we had only driven through before, so this is the first time we have stopped and looked around.  Shane and Kirstie invited us for a BBQ meal in the evening, so that gave us plenty of time to catch up with all the family news.

Shane cooking up a storm

The two boys have very unusual pets, and brought them out to show us.  Liam proudly showed us Tornedo, his bearded dragon.  He hopes to buy a mate for Tornedo shortly, and end up with a few baby dragons.  Liam encouraged me to “touch him if you want”, as I gingerly extended my finger out to stroke him.  Mmm, felt very rough, rather like touching sandpaper.  Both boys were very impressed when I told them I had once stroked a tuatara – a New Zealand living fossil!

Liam with Tornedo

Younger brother Dalton came out carrying Lizzie, a blue tongued skink.  Lizzie looked too much like a rather fat snake (with tiny legs) to me, and I could see me having nightmares if I handled her.  Her tongue is indeed blue, a very dark shade of blue which she flicks in and out. 

Dalton with Lizzie

The family also have three cute little Chihuahuas, three generations and all girls.  The older one made a beeline for my lap and settled down quite comfortably.

  Liam, Shane and Dalton

It was great to catch up with the family, and thanks so much for our delicious BBQ meal. 

We took the long road….

Looking out at the view of the hills this morning, we could see wisps of white steam highlighted against the dark green foliage of the hill cover.  This is a thermal area of New Zealand, and steam was escaping through fumaroles in the hill.  There is plenty of thermal activity going on right around this region.

View from our caravan in the early morning

Leaving the escaping steam behind we drove out of Turangi and skirted the west side of lake Taupo.  As we weren’t in any great hurry, we decided to take the longer rural route instead of travelling along the main road. We passed rolling farmland, which was replaced by pine plantations.  We noticed plenty of farmland tilled and ready to be planted with young pine trees.  The country changed again as we drove past massive rocky outcrops and shear cliffs, before changing again into rolling Waikato farmlands.  All along these back country road we noticed black and white flags flying from isolated farmhouses as the owners showed their allegiance to the All Blacks during the Rugby World Cup.  We stopped at beautiful Lake Maraetai for lunch, and what a magical place this is.  We plan to come back here on our trip home and stay a night or two.  The lake was calm, and we saw a little shag diving for, and catching his lunch.  

A lovely spot for lunch

There is a paddle steamer on the lake available for a spot of sightseeing – perhaps we can take a trip on our return.  A couple of chatty locals assured us that this trip is quite reasonably priced. 

Paddle steamer on the lake

After our nice relaxing lunch it was back into the car and keep heading north. We were spending the night at “The Creamery”, Ohaupo, a lovely quiet rural property.  We were the only ones camping here, so had the whole place to ourselves.

Our camp site at Ohaupo

Sanson, Flat Hills and Turangi

We’re travelling north to Hamilton to get our caravan’s hot water cylinder replaced the Leisureline factory – more on this saga to follow.  Today we’re just enjoying the first part of our journey.  The first stop of the day was Sanson, where Robin called in to the truck stop to top up the diesel tank.  45 litres later, we were ready to roll.

At the Sanson Truck Stop

That’s very handy, and right next door

We travelled up State Highway One,  through the small rural towns of the Rangitikei region, up and down hills with flurries of rain chasing us on our way.  It must be lunch time, we decided, as our tummies started to rumble, and it’s  certainly time for another stop and to stretch our legs.  We pulled into the large roomy car park of Flat Hills Cafe, hoping that their famous hot roast meat sandwiches were still on the menu.  This is a popular lunch stop for tour buses, and we noticed two large buses in the car park.  Luckily most of the passengers had finished their lunches so there was plenty of room inside for us.

Flat Hills Cafe

Yes indeed, the sandwiches were available.  It was roast pork for me, and lamb with mint jelly for Robin, and they were delicious, with very generous portions of hot meat.  With a piece of apricot shortcake each, and a Coke for him and a latte for me to finish, those rumbling tummies were happy again.  There was a wonderful painting on the wall, by  Julia Rosie Greig, showing a farmer looking out over his domain, with his trusty dog at his side.  She had added the words of the poem “Flat Hills,” penned by the father of the original owner of this property.

Flat Hills, painted by Julia Rosie Greig

Flat Hills is the dream land of the high country

Shepherd and his dogs exhausted from climbing the steep rocky mountains

Flat Hills is a curiosity, it’s a geological impossibility

A pipe dream of simplicity, brought to reality

Replete after our lunch, we continued travelling north, driving through the Army town of Waiouru, and continuing along the Desert Road,  The scenery changes from the tussock covered Rangipo Desert, a restricted Army Training area, to a tree covered landscape with an Alpine flavour.  Towering over the changing scenery as we drove along were the three mountains  Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro, their tops hidden by cloud cover.

Mt Ngauruhoe is under here somewhere

Our stop for the night was Turangi, at a rural small holding with free range chickens happily clucking away over the fence.  The chance to buy a dozen free range eggs still warm from the nesting boxes was too good to pass up.  Mmm, perhaps bacon and eggs will be on the menu for tomorrow’s breakfast.

Free range chickens

Our rural stop for the night

Golden blossoms on our Kowhai Tree

The large kowhai tree in our back garden is in flower, and our resident tui sits amongst the beautiful hanging golden blooms, protecting his tree, to make sure it is his alone.  Tuis are nectar feeders, belonging to the honeyeater family (Meliphagidae) and have brush-tipped tongues which helps them with taking nectar from flowers.   They feed on the nectar of plants such as kowhai, New Zealand flax, and other flowering native trees,  but they also eat fruit and invertebrates. They are great acrobats when feeding, stretching and hanging upside down to reach difficult flowers. Tui are very aggressive and generally chase other birds from prime flowering trees.  The tui which has laid claim to our tree sings and warbles to the world in-between feeding on the kowhai flowers.

  Tui on our tree

   Hanging kowhai blossoms

Have a look at this U Tube clip to see how energetic these birds are while feeding.